Dubai is always at the top of the bucket list for any tourist. People from around the world fly into Dubai to enjoy the picturesque views and luxuries here. Dubai being one of the richest Gulf countries, some visit Dubai on business while many fly in for holidays with their loved ones. Considering the fact that Dubai is one of the most well-known tourist destinations, getting a visa, is also a problem. While most go the legal way applying for visas and going through the long daunting paper works, a few try shortcuts. To avoid a trail of paper works, some people forge the visas, getting duplicate visas to enter Dubai. This has created a dilemma for immigration authorities in the UAE, who have now stepped up their scrutiny in identifying and denying entry to those with fake visas. Let us know in detail, how to know whether your visas are fake or real.
Types of Dubai Visas:
- Pre-approved transit visa – 2 days
- Point to Point Transit visa – 4 days
- Service/Business visa – 14 days
- Tourist Visa – 30 days
- Tourist Visa – 60 days Dubai Visa
Documents Required for Dubai Visa:
- Application form (this form is available online)
- Copy of the front page and the last page of your passport (validity of the passport should be up to six months to the date of travel)
- Passport size photographs
- Copies of your travel tickets
- Visa fees
- Ok to board consent from the airlines.
What is the Concept of ‘Ok to Board’?
Citing an increase in the number of tourists to Dubai, the government of UAE has started an ‘Ok to Board’ consent from the airlines before entering the country. The approval for Ok to Board (only for Asian countries) and Indians has been made compulsory to prevent illegitimate entry into the UAE. If you are a national of these countries, then once you clear your visa formalities, you have to submit the visa details to the airlines with which you would be travelling to Dubai. After briefly checking, the airline puts its own proof of verification in the form of ‘OK to Board’ and marks your PNR as ‘Ok to board’. Without this, you are not allowed to board the plane. Also, this procedure must be done 48 hours before you board the flight. Tour service providers prove to be of great help to get this approval for many noted flights. An ‘Ok to Board’ tag on your PNR status indicates that your Dubai visa has been re-verified and is valid for your trip to Dubai.
Your Visas: Fake or Real?
In a recent incident, a woman who was planning a vacation had applied for two visas to Dubai – one for herself and the other for her husband. After she got her visas done, she realized that on her visa, there was no expiry date. She immediately contacted the authorities and got the matter sorted.
To avoid such inconvenience, it is important to know how to check Dubai visa is original or fake. Here are a few ways through which you can find out whether your Dubai visa is fake or real.
At the Airport: Approximately two million people arrive at Dubai Airport daily. They should either have a tourist visa, employment visa or residential visa to enter Dubai. There is an integrated system at Dubai Airport which helps the immigration officers to do a Dubai visa verification and know whether the visa is fake or real. Once your passports are scanned at the airport, the system just says whether the visa is real or fake. Also, it provides details on the duration of the validity of the visa.
Website: You can log into the official Dubai government websites to check the genuineness of your visa. The process is similar to checking Dubai visa application status. You just have to fill in some details of your Dubai visa to check if your visa is real, and not a fake. While searching for your Dubai visa check online, ensure that you go to the official website and check the same. The UAE’s official websites end with ‘.ae’ You can check the validity and genuineness of your visa through https://smartservices.icp.gov.ae/ or www.amer.ae. You can check your Dubai visa verification through your valid visa number. You can also check the Dubai visa status by passport number.
Mobile App: The UAE visa status check Dubai can also be done on the mobile application of the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDRFA).
Tips to Avoid Dubai Visa Fraud:
- If you have a job opportunity in Dubai, according to the UAE law, the employer must give a letter issued by the UAE ‘s Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
- Do note what visa type you are applying for your purpose of travel. A tourist/visit visa does not give you the right to work in UAE.
- Go through your Dubai visa thoroughly once you receive it and get in touch with your visa expert or UAE sponsor through which you have applied for a visa in case any information is falsely printed or missed.
- Apply for your UAE visa through reputed tour operators and verified visa servicing agents.
- Get help on visas and entry permits in Dubai from Amer’s chat services.
Conclusion
Precaution is better than cure. It is always better to stay alert and check your visas before moving ahead with your tour plans. While applying for a Dubai visa, it is recommended to get a visa from a trusted website and travel agent to avoid being a victim of fraud or a fake visa and subsequently facing the consequences.